Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionIncidenceSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Definition
Incidence
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Coping
People with STPD experience high levels of social anxiety and have difficulty forming close relationships. As with otherpersonality disorders, STPD significantly affects your ability to function at work, school, relationships, and other aspects of daily life.
This article describes the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of schizotypal personality disorder. It also compares STPD to other mental health conditions and offers strategies and tips for coping.
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What Is Schizotypal Personality Disorder?
As with all personality disorders, a person with STPD has no idea that their behaviors or thoughts are unusual or troublesome.
Other Cluster A personality disorders includeparanoid personality disorder (PPD)andschizoid personality disorder (SPD).
STPD is about more than consciously “acting eccentric” to draw attention. Rather, these are behaviors that can disrupt relationships and social gatherings without any intention of drawing attention.
STPD is more common than you might think. According to U.S. statistics:
Symptoms of Schizotypal Personality Disorder
People with STPD often struggle to maintain close relationships with people outside their immediate family. They may also find it hard to fit in at work or school.
Common signs and symptoms of STPD include:
Schizotypal vs. Schizophrenia
STPD is related to several other mental conditions, includingschizophrenia. Both are similar in that they cause distorted thinking, odd manners of speech, strange beliefs, and difficulties expressing emotions or developing relationships.
The main difference between STPD and schizophrenia is that someone with STPD can have odd beliefs and behaviors, but they don’t have delusions or hallucinations more typical of schizophrenia.
Even so, people with STPD are vulnerable to schizophrenia. Some studies suggest that between 20% and 40% of people with STPD will eventually convert to schizophrenia.
Schizotypal Personality Disorder vs. Schizoid Personality Disorder
Like STPD, schizoid personality disorder (SPD) is a cluster A personality disorder. While both share symptoms like social isolation, a lack of close friends, difficulties with emotions, and a general lack of motivation, people with SPD don’t experience the level of social anxiety that people with STPD do.
In fact, people with SPD are generally apathetic, responding to neither criticism nor praise. They have a general disinterest in relationships, including sexual ones, and won’t exhibit the eccentric speech that people with STPD do. Instead, they will more likely respond coldly or not at all.
What Are the Different Types of Schizophrenia?
Causes of Schizotypal Personality Disorder
There is no single known cause of STPD.However, researchers have identified several risk factors that may contribute to STPD, including:
STPD and OCDStudies suggest that anywhere from 5% to 50% of people with STPD also haveobsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It is thought that high levels of social anxiety from STPD (a personality disorder) may “bleed over” and trigger symptoms of OCD (ananxiety disorder).
STPD and OCD
Studies suggest that anywhere from 5% to 50% of people with STPD also haveobsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It is thought that high levels of social anxiety from STPD (a personality disorder) may “bleed over” and trigger symptoms of OCD (ananxiety disorder).
Diagnosing Schizotypal Personality Disorder
According to the criteria in the DSM-5, someone must have five or more of the following symptoms to be diagnosed with STPD:
Treating Schizotypal Personality Disorder
The treatment of STPD typically involvespsychotherapy(talk therapy), medications, or a combination of both.
Psychotherapy options for STPD include:
Coping With Schizotypal Personality Disorder
In addition to psychotherapy and medication, many people with STPD can benefit from social skills training (SST). SST is a practical approach to improving communication skills,reducing stress, and setting healthy goals to manage your condition over the long term.
SST is a structured approach that involves a therapist or a trained counselor. Depending on your needs, it can target different aspects of your life, such as:
Importance of Social Skills Training for Autism
Summary
Schizotypal personality disorder is a long-lasting mental health condition that involves odd and eccentric patterns of behavior, thinking, and appearance. Many people with STPD feel socially isolated and find it hard to develop close relationships with people outside their immediate families.
The treatment for STPD typically involves talk therapy, medication, or a combination of both. Social skills training may help to improve relationships and prospects for employment.
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Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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